Baseball
A Proud Moment
Aug 30th
I have never been prouder in my professional career than I was last Tuesday and Wednesday. We brought in Global Traveler‘s sales staff for an annual seminar. PowerPoint presentations were made by Alex Young and Kim Krol, covering everything from our competition and our obvious strengths to internal procedures and the fantastic success of eFlyer, GT‘s e-newsletter.
Alex presented, in a very artistic way, all the destinations she has traveled to in her eight-year tenure with Global Traveler — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Seoul, Tokyo, Seattle, Montréal, London and Singapore were just the tip of the iceberg shown. I followed suit, covering my destinations, including Fiji, Norway, Korea, Thailand, China, Australia and Mexico — just to name a few. Dick Evans even talked about his near capture while on a horseback safari near the Afghan border.
We then presented and summarized our airline clients, pasting their logos on their home markets as we discussed routes and services. In between the presentations, we viewed videos and commercials from Thai, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Delta, United, Air Canada, Asiana, Korean Air and many more. Highlights from Emirates’ first class and Lufthansa’s A380 were shown.
We covered Global Traveler‘s new 2D barcoding capabilities and discussed the possibilities for linking these barcodes from Smartphones to any websites desired. We thought linking a GT 2D Barcode to Dale Moss’s video interview on our website was an interesting use for the new technology.
We ended the seminar in true Philadelphia fashion — with a trip to Citizens Bank Park to watch the Phillies take on the Astros. It was a great event and sure to be an annual gathering from now on. Maybe we should consider Palm Spring or Hawaii next?
– Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO
Favorite Road Cities
Aug 25th
Last week, I wrote about my recent trip to Houston, which included talking about travel with several baseball players and coaches. Steve Grande, media relations coordinator for the Houston Astros, was a tremendous help in GT gaining access to the field.
When discussing their favorite cities to visit during the baseball season, some of our interview subjects immediately picked their hometowns. Mets manager Jerry Manuel named Atlanta, and Astros infielder Geoff Blum picked San Diego. While I can’t argue with that logic (family, friends and home-cooked meals), I really tried to get everyone to go beyond.
Future Hall of Famer and Astros coach Jeff Bagwell said he liked Chicago because the people are so nice. Astros manager Brad Mills agreed with Chicago and added it is a very clean city.
Astros All-Star outfielder Hunter Pence thought for a few seconds and named Chicago as his favorite. He mentioned the food and fun available there. Fellow Astros All-Star outfielder Michael Bourn agreed with Pence on all fronts.
Matt Lindstrom, who started his career in Florida and joined the Astros this year, also said Chicago, and his reason was simple. He loves Gibson’s Steakhouse.
Astros outfielder Jason Michaels continued the Chicago trend, but listed San Francisco and Houston as other favorites. Michaels said he was grateful for baseball, because it allowed him to spend time in so many great cities.
Astros coach Jamie Quirk likes Boston and New York. Quirk noted the history, the beauty and, of course, the food.
We switched to the other side of the field, and got more love for Chicago from Mets outfielder Jeff Francouer. Frenchy said Chicago because the day games allow the players to see the city at night. He added the restaurants in Chicago are great.
Mets infielder Mike Hessman took a more practical approach when he mentioned San Francisco and Philadelphia. Hessman says he loves playing in those ballparks.
Mets coach Razor Shines gave us the surprise of the day when he said Montreal (although they no longer house a baseball team). Shines talked about the friendliness of the people and the beauty and class of the city.
I always find it interesting to hear the thoughts of these well-traveled people. I hope you do, too.
– John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
My Houston Experience
Aug 18th
Just as my GT friends were leaving Houston, my brother-in-law Scott, nephew Matt and I were arriving. Every summer, I join Scott and Matt (former residents of Space City) for one trip, which includes some work, reconnecting with old friends and baseball.
Before we even reached our hotel, we stopped at Texadelphia for a hearty chicken cheesesteak sandwich. This is a staple of all trips to Houston and one that starts the trip off right.
We stayed at the Embassy Suites, near the Galleria. The hotel features a solid workout room with several machines and free weights, a huge (and free) breakfast buffet, a whirlpool and even swans in a pond in the lobby. Our suite was spacious, comfortable and filled with amenities such as two large flat-screen televisions and a comfortable, functional work space.
Friday night and Sunday afternoon we saw the Houston Astros defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates at beautiful Minute Maid Park, one of my favorite ballparks. The park has a retractable roof and is always very comfortable inside. The food options are tremendous, with my favorite being the hand-carved smoked turkey sandwich.
On Saturday we went to Woodrow’s, a fantastic sports bar close to our hotel. A few delicious appetizers, a couple pitchers of their finest beverages and several baseball games later (many of them simultaneous), we left as very satisfied patrons.
After Sunday’s game we enjoyed an awesome pizza at Barry’s. The Neopolitan is a hand-tossed delight. In addition to the wonderful pizza, we ordered their garlic bread, which is among the best I have ever eaten (and I have eaten a lot).
Before attending Monday’s game, which the Astros lost to the New York Mets, we stopped in at The Balcony, a sports bar across the street from Minute Maid. The Balcony is a lively, open-air sports bar run by Jose, a friendly native Chicagoan. In one corner is a wall and case of Chicago Cubs memorabilia. We renewed acquaintances with Jose and talked about how Houston and Chicago have changed over the years.
Despite the loss on Monday, it was an outstanding game in every way. Steve Grande, Astros media relations coordinator, allowed Global Traveler some extra access to Minute Maid Park. We talked travel with several players and coaches. We checked out the press box and many more food options in the executive area. Next week, I will be sharing the behind-the-scenes report from Minute Maid.
We arrived home yesterday, fully satisfied from this trip and already discussing the next trip. I couldn’t ask for more.
– John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
Wish I Was There
Aug 11th
My fellow Global Traveler staffers have been writing about the NBTA (National Business Travel Association) convention in Houston. Unfortunately, I am not there this year, although I will be in Houston later this summer.
I have attended several NBTA conventions with GT over the years. They all have involved work, of course, but I also had a lot of fun and got to experience a lot of interesting things.
The most important part is the work, which at GT always involves fun anyway. It has been really motivational to see the various GT people working the booth, discussing ads, contemplating future editorial features and meeting other business associates. Seeing the energy and synergy reminds me of how exciting working at GT really is.
I have also enjoyed quite a few food and beverage choices at the conventions. One year, I had a delicious cold pea soup. It was so good, I shamelessly asked for another cup. I have also had samples of many different airline meals like chicken kebobs and California rolls.
I have tasted a lot of beverages, too. I have tried foreign beers and wines, relaxation teas and interesting energy drinks. Not all were great, but I am glad to have tried them.
Away from the convention, I have enjoyed touring around the host cities. In Boston, we took in a Red Sox game at historic Fenway Park. In Chicago, we enjoyed an after-convention party at the InterContinental Hotel on the Magnificent Mile.
Houston is one of my favorite cities (even with the heat). It’s a great choice for the NBTA convention. I hope my GT friends get to enjoy it as much as I do. I also hope it is still standing after my GT friends leave.
I am sure everyone is having a good time at the NBTA. Although I am not physically there, I am there in spirit with them, and I look forward to reading more stories here and hearing more when we next speak.
– John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
